Coleman SaluSpa Not Heating? Work Through This List

By Jake Weber · Published September 12, 2026

A SaluSpa that won’t heat feels like a dead SaluSpa. It usually isn’t. Before you box it up for a warranty claim, figure out which “not heating” you actually have — because there are three, and two of them aren’t faults at all.

Safety note: check your pump against the 2024 recall. In September 2024 the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of about 866,000 Bestway AirJet and HydroJet spa pumps sold with SaluSpa, Coleman and Hydro-Force spas from May 2021 to May 2024, because they can overheat and catch fire (recall 24-359). Before troubleshooting anything below, read the model number on the label on the side or back of your pump. The recalled models are P05332, P05339, P05711, P05807, P07000, P07001, P05511, P07034 and P07572. If yours is one of them, stop using it and follow the CPSC recall notice or Bestway’s recall page for a free replacement or a refund. The SaluSpa pump recall guide walks through the label check and what to do next.

First: which “not heating” is yours?

1. It’s not heating at all — water stays cold, no matter how long you wait.
2. It heats, but stalls around 90-95°F and won’t climb higher.
3. It seems to stop heating when the bubbles are on.

Jump to your case. If you’re not sure, start with Case 1 — it covers the basics the other two build on. Seeing an error code on the display? The SaluSpa error codes guide covers every code and what to do.

Case 1: Not heating at all

Work down this list in order:

1. Check the obvious settings. Is the heater actually on (the heat icon lit, not just the filter)? Is the target temperature set above the current water temperature? Is a timer set that switched heating off?

2. Rule out a flow problem. The heater refuses to run if the pump can’t move water properly — that’s the same protection behind the E02 error, and it can bite before the code shows. Quick pass: water above the MIN line, filter not over-tightened, filter cartridge clean, intake grates clear. Full steps in the E02 fix guide.

3. Power-cycle it properly. If your panel has an ON/OFF button, hold it 2 seconds (the Coleman 90363 has none). Unplug, plug back in, and run the GFCI plug’s TEST/RESET check. Then make sure heat is on and the set temperature is where you want it. On an older Coleman such as the 90363, a display flashing “End” means the pump is hibernating with heating and filtration off: hold the lock button for 3 seconds. Every reset, by pump: how to reset a SaluSpa.

4. Still stone cold after several hours? Now you may genuinely have a heater element or thermostat fault. That’s a warranty/support call to Bestway with your model number — not a DIY job. The heater runs on mains voltage; don’t open the sealed unit.

Case 2: Heats fine, but stalls at 90-95°F

This one generates the most angry reviews, and it’s usually physics, not a fault. A standard 110-120V SaluSpa heats roughly 2-3°F per hour in mild conditions (the biggest tubs, like the St. Moritz and Helsinki, are slower still — around 1-2°F/hour), and those small heaters fight a losing battle when the air is cold and the heat is escaping faster than they can add it.

Quick checks: is the cover on while heating? Is the tub sitting on bare cold concrete (a foam base makes a real difference)? Is it windy or near-freezing outside? Fix the heat loss and the ceiling usually rises.

If it stalls at 95°F on a warm day with the cover on — that’s a different story, and worth a support call.

Case 3: “Stops heating” when the bubbles are on

Here’s the one almost nobody explains to new owners. It’s a common belief that the heater shuts off when the bubbles come on, but Bestway’s manuals describe the opposite: “Heat and massage system work together to create a warm massage experience.” What they don’t spell out is whether the heater keeps its full power while the bubbles run. So why does the water cool down?

Mostly physics. Running the AirJet forces thousands of bubbles up through the water, and you can’t keep the cover on while the massage is going. All that agitation and open, exposed surface makes the water shed heat — mostly to evaporation — faster than the small heater can replace it. So the temperature stalls or drops a few degrees: whatever the heater is doing, it can’t keep up with that heat loss. That’s the drop you feel, and it isn’t a fault. (Worth knowing: the AirJet also shuts itself off automatically after about 30 minutes.)

Practical rhythm: heat with the cover on → soak with bubbles in bursts → expect some temperature drop → cover back on to recover.

Quick reference

FAQ

How long should heating take? From a cold fill, plan on 12-24 hours depending on start temperature and weather. It’s a marathon, not a microwave — most owners heat overnight.

Is there a heater reset button? Bestway’s owner’s manuals don’t show one on the pump: the only RESET button they document is on the GFCI plug. Bestway’s online FAQ does describe a reset button on the side of some Bestway spa heaters; if yours has one, ask Bestway support for your model’s steps. Every reset, by pump: how to reset a SaluSpa.

What if the heater really is dead? In warranty: Bestway replaces the pump unit. Out of warranty: replacement pump/heater units exist and are a common swap — just match your exact part number before ordering (looks-identical units aren’t always electrically interchangeable).

Fixed a not-heating SaluSpa some other way? Tell me what worked — this list gets better with every reader report.

Jake Weber — Jake Weber is the pen name of Rookie Spa’s editor. I don’t sell spas or chemicals, and I’m not affiliated with any brand. Every guide here starts from the manufacturer’s manual, is cross-checked against the questions and fixes owners report most often, and is written in plain English for first-time owners — with a clear warning whenever something involves electricity or water safety.